System and method for direct manipulation of a triangular distribution of information using a graphical user interface

摘要

A system and method are provided for direct manipulation of a triangular distribution of information using a graphical user interface. The system includes a graphical user interface for receiving user inputted values. The system further includes a data calculator for generating estimates based on the user inputted values, and for generating curves for display on a grid based on at least one of, the user inputted values and the estimates. The graphical user interface respectively receives the user inputted values based at least on a current position of a pointer on the grid. The graphical user interface is capable of applying a direct manipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates, such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a graphical user interface for receiving user inputted values, the graphical user interface having at least a display device with a grid and a pointer depicted thereon, the grid having a time axis and a value axis, the value axis representing a plurality of user selectable candidate values, said values being a subset of the user inputted values, based on a current position of the pointer on the grid, the pointer being positionable by the user via the graphical user interface; and a data calculator for generating estimates based on the user inputted values, and for generating three curves for display on the grid based on at least one of, the user inputted values and the estimates, wherein the three curves comprise a first, a second, and a third curve representing a triangular distribution and respectively corresponding to expected values for a given item under evaluation, upper bounds with respect to the expected values, and lower bounds with respect to the expected values; wherein said graphical user interface is capable of applying a direct manipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates, such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid, and wherein said graphical user interface enables a user to enter triplets corresponding to an expected value, an upper bound for the expected value, and a lower bound for the expected value, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid.